Bennett drops Widdop for Wigan rookie

RUGBY LEAGUE: England coach Wayne Bennett has told George Williams to take his chance after replacing Gareth Widdop with the Wigan halfback for tomorrow night's Four Nations clash with Scotland in Coventry.

Bennett said Williams would "definitely play” after naming him in his initial 19-man squad.

The squad will be trimmed to 17 closer to game time and Bennett said Williams, who will earn his fourth cap alongside Castleford's Luke Gale in the halves, had impressed him.

"I saw George play in the Super League finals and I think he's a quality player. It's up to him now, he's going to get a chance,” he said.

"He's been working hard in training with the players and showing the coaching staff what he can do and what he's capable of.

"Luke's a very talented footballer.

"He's good with the ball in his hands, I've seen enough of him to know that.

"He just didn't get the ball enough the other day.”

In other changes to the side that lost 17-16 to New Zealand last week, St Helens centre Mark Percival and Hull forward Scott Taylor come in but injured Bulldogs prop James Graham misses out.

Scotland coach Steve McCormack has brought in Workington Town duo Callum and Brett Phillips, while Batley Bulldogs fullback Dave Scott is also in the 19-man squad.

England needs to defeat Scotland to keep alive its hopes of reaching the final at Anfield on November 20.

England captain Sam Burgess is also in the initial squad despite having a sore side.

Bennett said it was important to get players out on the field before next week's clash with Australia.

"We are not going to make too many changes but we also want to make sure most players in the squad get game time,” he said.